Little Banshee

We have affectionately nick-named Fiona "little banshee" in recognition of her intense screaming. The name has a kind of eerie background but it's Irish and whether or not it's a mourning call her cry can nearly shatter glass http://www.irelandseye.com/animation/explorer/banshee.html
We're working on it though. As mentioned, Monday I brought Fiona to see her pediatrician to go over why she still seems so uncomfortable. As expected Dr. O'malley wasn't all that startled--I guess he's seen this before. After a thorough check-up he referred us next door for an abdominal x-ray just to make sure her insides look alright. One concern was that her stomach is small since she only takes 2oz of formula at a time instead of the 6-8oz a baby of her age should be eating per meal. Since she doesn't have other symptoms I had pretty much ruled out intestinal abnormalities or blockages but this checked for that too. The good news is she's normal, the bad news is she's fussy and we still don't totally know how to help her. She has a good sized tummy but it was pretty full of gas- which would make anyone howl a bit. This is both normal and abnormal so we decided she should try a new, extra broken down formula that should produce less bi-product. That leaves me pumping and feeding her around the clock. She's still on Zantac for suspected reflux and we've introduced rice cereal. So, five days later and it's been up and down...she definitely digests the new formula better, with less churning and gas than before, but she so misses breastfeeding that sometimes her distress over that is enough to make me wonder what we're doing. I've caved in a few times, in particular at night, so we don't have a full blown picture. Today she gobbled down bottles for the first time, inhaling a record 7 oz with cereal at 6pm and another 4oz by 9pm. Jim settled her into bed and fingers crossed she'll last until early morning. Her MD still insisted she may really be pushing the time limits of colic but he thinks she'll turn the corner yet.

"Funny" story to share...After that 6pm feed Fiona was fat and happy and dosing while we tried dinner at a Mexican place down the street. Just as we were ready to order the bus boy lost control of his pouring and ended up dumping a glass of ice water on to the stroller. Poor little wet girl. In slow motion the water spilled, Fiona's little face flashed red, crinkled up, and there was the silent scream followed by full blast shriek. If her cry warns of death it was probably over us strangling that guy. I really think Mommy should have gotten a free margarita out of that ordeal. She never really settled again and so the 9pm feed...

I promise photos coming. We took our old camera to CO and Jim has to upload those.

Announcing...

Three months after her birthday and the local newspaper finally posted Fiona's arrival. They managed to mess up a few facts but at least her stats are correct. The Folsom Telegraph comes out once a week in print and as a Folsom High grad I always peek for old classmate gossip.

http://www.folsomtelegraph.com/articles/2007/06/20/milestones/births/01gordon.txt

Flying the Friendly Skies

I've met many Californians who have never left the state. Not our Fi. At 15 1/2 weeks she & I boarded ExpressJet flight 215 and soared off to Colorado Springs for a four day visit with close friends Karen & Ralph and their sons Brian (6), Andrew (3), and newbie Matthew (10 wks). This initial journey was designed to be "safe" as Karen has a kid friendly home and our 2 1/2 hour flight was early morning and direct. In the weeks prior I even felt pangs of excitement, stepping out of our comfort zone with our little person, seeing a new place, and introducing Fiona to old friends. However, on the morning of our departure, after a sleepless night, my anxiety peaked as Fiona squirmed and cried before I checked baggage. Every recollection of babies screaming and writhing as a helpless parent fought to wrestle and sooth within the confines of a 24" seat, surrounded by unimpressed fellow passengers, flashed through my head. And that sweet little picture didn't include the present-day security clearance of removing shoes, presenting formula bottles, and separating baby from carrier in order to wait, holding screaming baby, in a stagnant line. All I have to say is thank God for the hypnotic hum of jet engines because in spite of our rough start and mounting fears, as soon as that plane geared up for take-off my little banshee had settled into a peaceful sleep.
None-the-less I was grateful to safely land and even more relaxed when Jim arrived to share parenting duties the following day. As always Karen & Ralph were amazing hosts and we left the area appreciating every beautiful corner of Colorado Springs. Dashing around to the zoo, through Valley of the Gods, the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame Museum (my personal favorite), and the Air Force Academy, we were also quite a site...four child car restraints, two strollers, and four sucking, crying, chatting, or napping kidlets tucked into the back of Karen's new minivan. (Jim and Ralph escaped in the sedan for "man" things like wilderness store shopping and shooting some sort of modern musket-like gun powder packed weapon.) Fiona stayed true to my descriptions and it wasn't uncommon to glance back and see Brian and Andrew plugging their ears as she screamed. Poor little boo made quite a loud impression. (We visited the MD Monday but I'll get to that in the next entry.) I hope she didn't spoil my first attempt at match-making with one of the well-bred Laurie boys. In case you didn't know I first heard Fi's name when I met Ralph's younger sister Fiona. It means fair skinned beauty, fitting to her, and as I also discovered she is smart and poised I grew more fond of unique, Gaelic name. Should our Fiona ever hit it off with one of their boys she'll be the second Fiona Laurie. I don't hear wedding bells but she sure did love the entertainment a six and three year provide. Their running around the infant play mat in pirate gear were her happiest moments.
What a nice get-a-way for this new family yet on Sunday it was comforting to be back on home field advantage just in time to celebrate Fiona's 16th week and our second wedding anniversary.
(photo to post later, check back soon)

If you thought we were kidding....

I spotted this photo of Jim when he was four days old (left). Just look at it next to Fiona (right)...amazing.

Can you hear me now?...Fiona at 14 weeks

During dinner the other night Jim convinced me reintroducing a little dairy product into my diet couldn't possibly make Fiona any fussier than she already is. Against my better judgement I agreed and all weekend we paid dearly for my wedge of quiche Lorraine. Apparently there is a state classified "fussier than she already is." Her endurance astounds us, as does her ability to cycle through the breadth of human emotion every five minutes. We remind ourselves that her "expressiveness" also means "happy Fiona" is very animated and entertaining.
Thanks to Grammy Lacey's rescue babysitting Sunday we revisited our pre-baby existence with a trip to Noah's Bagels, the Sunday paper, and surprisingly restful household cleaning.
Little one came home a bit happier too and we're all ready for a fresh start and another week.

Since she finally tired out at about 9 pm I found time to post photos on Picasa Web, a Google powered site. For now it's all Fiona and you can access it at: http://picasaweb.google.com/Kelley.L.Gordon
Click on each album cover photo to browse or order prints.